US Slams Illegal Referenda in Eastern Ukraine

US: the referanda are illegal

As news started to made headlines that a referenda took place in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions last week where majority of the people voted in favor of independence from central government in Kiev, the United States of America today underscored that it does not recognize any results of the illegal referenda.

In a press statement in Washington DC, US Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the referenda being planned for May 11 in portions of eastern Ukraine by armed separatist groups are illegal under Ukrainian law and are an attempt to create further division and disorder.

Euromaidan. State flag of Ukraine carried by a protester to the heart of developing clashes in Kiev. Events of 18 February 2014.

“The United States will not recognize the results of these illegal referenda.” – Ms. Psaki

Ms. Psaki even added that the referenda will violate international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

According to media reports, pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine held referendums Sunday on “independence.”

Voters in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions casted their ballots on whether they approved of independence.

Looking forward on the incoming May 25 elections

The US has always reiterated that the May 25 elections are crucial for all Ukrainian people to have a voice in the future of their country.

Ms. Psaki pointed out the focus of the international community must now be on supporting the Ukrainian government’s consistent efforts to hold a presidential election on May 25.

The US has warned any efforts to disrupt the democratic process will be seen as to denying the rights of Ukraine’s citizens to express their political will freely.

Ukrainian people on protest!

In December 2012, Kiev is engulfed by unrest when massive protest by pro-EU protesters stood their ground after an overnight sweep by riot police.

The authorities sent in battalions of riot police with bulldozers to reclaim the Independence Square. There were records of scuffles and arrests. However, the riot police avoided entering the nearby City Hall and by morning they withdrew from the streets.

In a press statement in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the destruction of a protest camp in central Kiev.

The turmoil started in November 2013 when the President Yanukovich yielded pressure from Moscow and spurned a free trade deal with the EU.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain English. Mina Fabulous is the pen name of Carmen Avalino, the NewsBlaze production editor. When she isn’t preparing stories for NewsBlaze writers, she writes stories, but to separate her editing and writing identities, she uses the name given by her family and friends.